Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf vs Samara Lakes
Two St. Johns communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-11-02.
| Metric | Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf | Samara Lakes |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $346K | $385K |
| Price per sq ft | $180 | $194 |
| Avg days on market | 131 days | 89 days |
| Months of supply | 1.7 mo | 1.0 mo |
| Market | Seller's Market | Seller's Market (limited data) |
| 1-year price change | -8% | -3% |
| Recent closings | 49 | 37 |
The verdict
Samara Lakes carries the higher median price — about 11% above Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf. Homes in Samara Lakes sell faster (89 days on market vs 131). Samara Lakes is the tighter market on inventory (1.0 months of supply).
Where each one is
Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf and Samara Lakes are about 2 miles apart (straight-line, center to center) and share St. Johns County.
| Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf | Samara Lakes | |
|---|---|---|
| County | St. Johns County, FL | St. Johns County, FL |
| City / area | St. Augustine | St. Augustine |
| ZIP | 32092 | 32092 |
| Straight-line to downtown Jacksonville | 26 mi | 28 mi |
| Nearest Atlantic beach | 12 mi, South Ponte Vedra Beach | 12 mi, Vilano Beach |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | all 24 sampled homes outside a flood zone | all 16 sampled homes outside a flood zone |
Distances are straight-line; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more. Flood-zone shares come from FEMA flood maps matched to sampled parcels; always check the exact address before you close.
What is for sale today
| Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf | Samara Lakes | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 7 | 3 |
| Under contract | 10 | 2 |
| Asking prices today | $320K to $365K | $295K to $445K |
| Listed in the last 7 days | 6 | 0 |
| Property types listed | Townhouse | Single Family Residence |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf homes for sale · Samara Lakes homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf | Samara Lakes | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 145 | 211 |
| Built | 2023–2024 (median 2024) | 2005–2018 (median 2007) |
| Typical living area | 2,277 sq ft | 2,370 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 16% | 68% |
| Vacant lots | 141 | 0 |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
How each one trades
| Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf | Samara Lakes | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 96.1% | 96.6% |
| New-construction share of sales | 100% | 0% |
| Typical sold home | 1,927 sq ft | 2,168 sq ft |
Last 12 months of recorded closings; sale-to-original-list is the share of the first asking price sellers actually got.
Schools the listings are zoned for
| Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf | Samara Lakes | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Magnolia Oaks Academy | Picolata Crossing |
| Middle | Magnolia Oaks Academy | Pacetti Bay |
| High school | Tocoi Creek | Tocoi Creek |
The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
Which one fits
On budget alone, Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf is the lower entry point (median $346K vs $385K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf; Samara Lakes trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in Samara Lakes (89 days on market on average); buyers get more negotiating room where homes sit longer.
Neither number set decides it: drive both on a weekday evening, check the HOA documents and the flood zone for the exact street, and price the insurance before you write an offer. A Momentum agent who works both communities can pull the comparable sales for any two specific homes.
Questions people ask
Is Samara Lakes more expensive than Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in Samara Lakes is $385,000 versus $346,000 in Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf, about 11% higher.
How far apart are Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf and Samara Lakes?
About 2 miles straight-line, center to center, both in St. Johns County; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more.
Which has newer homes, Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf or Samara Lakes?
Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf: its homes were built 2023–2024 with a median year of 2024, versus a median of 2007 in Samara Lakes (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
Samara Lakes — sellers there received 96.6% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 96.1% in Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf.
What high schools serve Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf and Samara Lakes?
Listings in Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf most often report Tocoi Creek; listings in Samara Lakes report Tocoi Creek. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: Cherry Elm at SilverLeaf homes, photos & schools · Samara Lakes homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.